Entertainment Books Biographies 12 Photos of Amelia Earhart You Need to See While a great deal of mystery surrounds Amelia Earhart's disappearance, her contributions to aviation and women's rights have inspired people for upwards of 80 years By Erin Hill Erin Hill Erin Hill is the Senior Editor, Royals at PEOPLE. She has reported on Royals for the brand since 2015. Erin previously worked at PARADE Magazine and The Knot. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 30, 2024 05:09PM EST Amelia Earhart. Photo: AP From a young age, Amelia Earhart loved flying. Her passion brought her fame, and ultimately, notoriety, as she took off for an around-the-world trip in 1937 and never returned. Recently, her name was in the news again, as a crew thought they possibly found her downed aircraft on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. While explorers work to see if their discovery does solve the mystery of her disappearance, look back on some of her iconic photos and quotes about the career she loved. 01 of 12 Amelia Earhart's Early Life Amelia Earhart. The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. In 1920, she attended an air show in Long Beach, California, and took a 10-minute plane ride that changed her life forever. "As soon as I left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly," she wrote. 02 of 12 Amelia Earhart Takes Flight Amelia Earhart. Bettmann Archive/Getty In 1928, she was invited to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and became an international celebrity. She was listed as a co-pilot, but ultimately was not allowed to fly. 03 of 12 Amelia Earhart Sets Records Amelia Earhart. Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty She set seven women's speed and distance aviation records between 1930 and 1935. In May 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across in the Atlantic, and on Jan. 11, 1935, she flew from Honolulu to Oakland, making her the first person to fly solo over the Pacific. 04 of 12 Amelia Earhart and the Ninety-Nines Amelia Earhart. National Archives/HISTORY Dubbed "Lady Lindy" (a nod to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh), Earhart promoted aviation and helped found the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to female aviators. 05 of 12 Amelia Earhart and George Palmer Putnam Amelia Earhart and her husband. New York Times Co./Getty Earhart wed publisher George Palmer Putnam on Feb. 7, 1931. He reportedly proposed to her six times before she agreed to marry him. 06 of 12 Amelia Earhart's Memorable Quotes Amelia Earhart. Bettmann Archive/Getty She famouly sent him a letter detailing "some things which should be writ before we are married." "I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness to me nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly," Earhart wrote, adding that her career was a top priority. "Please let us not interfere with the others' work or play." 07 of 12 Amelia Earhart's Mission Amelia Earhart. Getty As she approached her 40th birthday in 1937, Earhart famously said, "I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system." She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world. 08 of 12 Amelia Earhart in the Cockpit Amelia Earhart. AP After a botched attempt in March that severely damaged her plane, a determined Earhart had the twin engine Lockheed Electra rebuilt. 09 of 12 Amelia Earhart Sets Out Amelia Earhart. Topical Press Agency/Getty On June 1, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami, Florida, an around-the-world flight. 10 of 12 Amelia Earhart Disappears Amelia Earhart. NY Daily News Archive/Getty They disappeared on July 2 after a stop in Lae, New Guinea, with only 7,000 miles of the trip left. 11 of 12 Amelia Earhart's Disappearance Amelia Earhart. Getty There were radio messages that they were running low on fuel. Contact was lost, and the plane never made it to its destination. 12 of 12 The Mystery of Amelia Earhart Amelia Earhart. AP While a great deal of mystery surrounds her disappearance, her contributions to aviation and women's rights have inspired people for more than 80 years. Close